Does math make you a little nervous? You’re in the majority. The phrase “number anxiety” was first coined by researchers back in the 1950s. In 2012, about 30% of high school students reported that they felt “helpless” when doing mathematics problems. For many people, math fears can be traced back to elementary school, and specifically, to timed tests and forced memorization, says Stanford University professor Jo Boaler. “Neuroscientists have shown recently that for people with…
For as long as anyone can remember, taking attendance and rewarding kids for showing up has been a time-honored school ritual. Like so many other aspects of education, that simple measure — “here” or “absent” — is not so simple anymore. States are having to update their attendance policies to cover the realities of virtual learning, and where school is being held in-person, strict coronavirus health protocols mean students must now stay home at the…
ISEE versus SSAT: which one should your child take? First of all, below are the levels of the test that your child would be taking: ISEE: Primary Level ISEE, Students currently in grades 2-3 Note: The Primary Level ISEE contains only Reading & Math sections Lower Level ISEE, Students currently in grades 4-5 Middle Level ISEE, Students currently in grades 6-7 Upper Level ISEE, Students currently in grades 8-11 SSAT: Elementary Level SSAT, Students currently…
In order to perform well on the ISEE and SSAT tests, learning to study vocabulary effectively is crucial. The Verbal section of each test challenges the vocabulary skills of even the strongest students. It can be difficult to study vocabulary effectively with your busy schedule, but without making it a priority, you will not be able to perform well on the synonyms and analogies portions of the SSAT exam or the synonyms and sentence completions…
It’s no secret that advanced placement courses can boost your college applications, but knowing the details of how this works will help you put your very best foot forward. College admissions boards are becoming more and more selective about who they accept into their universities. About 37% of students in the class of 2017 took at least one AP course in high school. The pool of students challenging themselves with AP courses is growing. This…
Is early decision or early action is right for you? If you are going into your senior year, you’re probably feeling a lot of excitement and relief that you only have one more year until you’re off in the real world. Finally, no more high school. But there are some serious decisions you need to make very soon, and the best way to know where you’ll want to apply is to visit schools. First, try…
Here are two questions teachers can think about as they reflect on their daily instruction: when students enter the classroom, are they happy to be there? And, when they leave, are they smiling and feeling positive about their experience? If not, a few small changes may need to be made. Every student wants a positive teacher to help make their day better and their class more enjoyable, and it’s something every teacher can achieve. Here are 3…
Teachers and parents alike hear a lot of excuses when students don’t do their homework. “That was homework? That’s due today? But… it was the weekend.” What they often don’t hear is the research on how to help. It seems we are in the dark about engaging students in the homework process, and specifically about what contributes to homework resistance. How can we better support students in not only completing, but also learning from assigned…
What is it like to be a kid with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Children with ADHD often struggle academically, socially and emotionally. They can find it difficult to develop strengths and may be disorganized, forgetful, easily distracted, and impulsive. And like all kids, they want to feel normal. Informed empathy for ADHD children and what they experience on a daily basis can inspire parents and teachers to work with these children in ways that will…
Boston Tutoring Services would like to introduce you to Edmit, a wonderful tool to help students and families make educated financial decisions about college. Before they even finish their senior year in high school, students face many tough questions related to the true cost of college and taking out student loans. to achieve their educational and career goals. It can also be difficult for students to get information about how to achieve their educational and…
